Russia Aviation News

Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow has welcomed the first commercial flight from the new airBaltic Bombardier CS300 aircraft. Martin Gauss, chief executive at airBaltic, said: “We are delighted to land the first commercial flight with the most innovative and technologically advanced aircraft in the world – Bombardier CS300 here in Moscow.”

A consortium comprising Basic Element, one of Russia’s diversified industrial groups, Russian Direct Investment Fund and Changi Airports International has acquired Vladivostok International Airport in Russia’s Far East from Sheremetyevo International Airport. Upon regulatory and corporate approvals, the consortium will own 100 per cent of JSC Terminal Vladivostok which owns and operates the airport terminal building, and 52.16 per cent of JSC International Airport Vladivostok which holds the airport license.

Krasnodar international airport has welcomed the launch of a new route between Krasnodar-Thessaloniki. The inaugural Thessaloniki-bound flight left earlier, marking the start of regular air links between Russia’s southern city and Greece.

FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov has confirmed to Russian president Vladimir Putin that an “act of terror” brought down a Russian A321 airliner in Egypt last month. The Russian security chief said “traces of foreign explosives” were found amid debris from the Airbus plane.

Korean Air has announced that as from April 26th it will resume its service between Incheon and Russia’s second largest city St. Petersburg. The service will operate three flights a week, utilising A330-200 aircraft equipped with AVOD in all seats and seating up to 218 passengers.

The WTM Vision Conference Moscow 2015 heard today that low-cost airlines’ commitment to flying to Russia is vital to the recovery of the country’s tourism business. Research presented at the conference predicts the number of Russian passengers flying on low-cost carriers will increase by an annual rate of 13 per cent over the next four years.

A consortium led by Changi Airports International has been announced as the winner of the tender to acquire shares in Vladivostok International Airport in Russia’s Far East. The consortium also includes Basic Element, one of Russia’s diversified industrial groups, and Russian Direct Investment Fund. Changi Airports International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the world’s leading airport operator Changi Airport Group.

Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev has warned the country could close airspace to international flights of the European Union goes ahead with further sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine. The EU will announce shortly whether further sanctions will take effect now or be put on hold, with sanctions largely depending on developments on the ground.

Moscow Domodedovo Airport has concluded a contract for construction of a second segment of its passenger terminal, with a deadline is December 2016. Upon completion of the works the airport complex area will be broadened nearly double by 235,000 square meters and, taking into account the ongoing project aimed at expanding the first segment of the passenger terminal, will make up to 500,000 square meters.